Skender Foundation

SKENDER FOUNDATION 2019 INSPIRE. IMPACT. EMPOWER.

OUR LEADERSHIP Cheryl Skender Belinda Moore & BOARD OF Chair & President Executive Director DIRECTORS Joe Skender Brian Skender Jeff Skender Justin Brown Chairman Emeritus, Senior Project Manager, Director, President & Partner, Skender Skender Cushman & Wakefield Skender Jerry Ball Mark Skender Tim Swanson Jared Funk CFO & Partner, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Design Officer, Vice President, Skender Skender Skender Lenox Advisors 2

WE MADE A DIFFERENCE AND IT’S ALL BECAUSE OF YOU! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting Skender Foundation in 2019. Our accomplishments as an organization were a direct result of your actions. From the continuation of Skender Foundation’s first endowment fund to unprecedented success at our two fundraising events to an impactful volunteer day, it was truly a great year. Through the Skender Foundation endowment fund, our partnership with VOCEL continues through a multi-year grant totaling $150,000. VOCEL is a nonprofit organization in Chicago dedicated to jumpstarting children’s brain development with cutting-edge parent coaching and innovative early learning rooted in language development and social-emotional support. Our two signature fundraising events, Summer Eclipse and Harvesting Hope, raised more than $450,000 and highlighted Little Wish Foundation and Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. The funds raised were dispersed to our highlighted organizations and other nonprofits in the Chicagoland area that drive efforts towards improving health, education and wellness. We hosted a wonderful Volunteer Day at Skender’s new manufacturing facility. In partnership with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, volunteers came together to build 50 bunk bed frames to provide accessible, stable and safe beds for 100 children in need. Next month, our annual holiday gift drive benefiting Almost Home Kids will cap off a great year. We can’t thank you enough for your continued support of Skender Foundation, and are similarly grateful to Skender. Each year, Skender makes a generous donation and underwrites all operating expenses of our organization, which allows us to focus entirely on our charitable giving. We wish you a prosperous new year and look forward to continued success in 2020. 3

INSPIRE. IMPACT. EMPOWER. OUR MISSION OUR VISION Provide access to resources and relationships Create a culture of giving that inspires the that help people make good life decisions next generation to share their time, talents through greater education and wellness. and gifts with those in need. Every person carries an ember of potential within them. Our goal is to brighten the glow of hopeful people and help them shine in the world. Founded in 2012 as a 501(c)(3) public foundation, Skender Foundation believes that all people should have access to resources and relationships that help them make prosperous life decisions. We also believe giving should be fun and uniting. Each year in Chicago, we host two prolific fundraising and awareness events that connect business professionals and charitable organizations seeking positive change. Equally important, we understand that just donating money isn’t enough. To sustain community health, education and wellness, we must also invest ourselves – our time, our care, our compassion and our ideas. Only by directly causing positive change can we create a culture of giving and feel the impact of its rewards. 4

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EIGHTH ANNUAL SUMMER ECLIPSE RAISED $411,000, HIGHLIGHTED LITTLE WISH FOUNDATION Skender Foundation hosted its annual fundraiser, Summer Eclipse, on Thursday, July 18 at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. A total of $411,000 was raised in one night by sponsors and more than 500 event attendees. Of that, $30,000 was donated to Little Wish Foundation while the balance was dispersed to other charities dedicated to health, education and wellness throughout the year. Founded in Indianapolis in 2010, Little Wish Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that grants wishes of pediatric oncology patients. The wishes may be small (most cost between $500 and $1,000), but their impact on children’s lives is immeasurable. The organization services fourteen children’s hospitals in seven states, including Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Rush University Children’s Hospital. To date, Little Wish has granted 1,950 little wishes to children with cancer during their treatment period. “Each year, Skender Foundation hosts Summer Eclipse with the goal of providing opportunities, tools and resources to those in need. We chose to highlight Little Wish Foundation to help brighten the lives of children suffering from cancer, and feel honored to be able to make a positive impact on their journeys,” Skender Foundation Executive Director Belinda Moore said regarding the motivation behind Summer Eclipse. Since its 2012 inception, Skender Foundation has donated over $6,400,000 to more than 300 charitable organizations. To learn more about Little Wish Foundation, visit littlewishfoundation.org. YOUTUBE: SKENDER FOUNDATION SUMMER ECLIPSE 2019 7

THE BUILDERS’ BOARD A subcommittee of Skender Foundation, the Builders’ Board is a team comprised of dozens of next-generation, philanthropic-minded leaders working together to inspire positive, sustainable change in Chicago. WHAT WE DO We empower fellow board members to set and reach goals and, in doing so, realize that they too can make a difference for others. Through them, the spirit of giving grows. Every Builders’ Board meeting offers opportunities to learn more about leadership, networking, fundraising and volunteerism. Members gain greater confidence as they develop new skills to apply during board activities, such as promoting our annual event and seeking donors and sponsorships. We have full freedom to pursue and achieve our own fundraising goals. All financial proceeds are donated to a chosen charitable organization that furthers Skender Foundation’s mission to enhance health, education and wellness in Chicago. THIS YEAR The Builders’ Board hosted a leadership training session focused on five behaviors of a cohesive team and four disciplines of a healthy organization led by The Table Group’s Rick Van Arnam. 8

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EIGHTH ANNUAL HARVESTING HOPE RAISED $43,000 FOR CHICAGO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS Comprised of philanthropic-minded professionals, the Builders’ Board of Skender Foundation hosted its annual Harvesting Hope fundraiser on October 17 at Venue West. This year’s charity partner and beneficiary was Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH). More than 300 people attended the event and raised $43,000. Founded in 1980, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is the only nonprofit in Illinois dedicated to advocating for public policies that curb and can ultimately end homelessness. CCH leads strategic campaigns, community outreach, and public policy initiatives that target the lack of affordable housing in metropolitan Chicago and across Illinois. In addition, CCH presses for access to jobs, training and public schools. “Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is honored to have been chosen as the beneficiary for this year’s Harvesting Hope fundraiser. We are so grateful for the incredible partnership of the Builders’ Board and all the work they did to make the event such a success. Funds raised will support our Youth Futures mobile legal aid clinic, which reaches more than 4,000 homeless youth and students each year. Thanks to you, CCH will be able to help even more homeless young people access shelter, healthcare, education, and legal ID records,” said Beth Malik, Lead Youth Futures Attorney at Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. “We are beyond thrilled with the outcome of this year’s Harvesting Hope event,” said Skender Foundation Executive Director, Belinda Moore. “It is an honor to support Chicago Coalition for the Homeless in such an impactful way and bring recognition and awareness to the important work that they do in our city. Many thanks to attendees, sponsors and silent auction donors for their generous contributions. Without their help, we couldn’t support local charities that promote health, wellness and education.” In previous years, Harvesting Hope highlighted Purple Asparagus, Snow City Arts, Embarc Chicago, Foundations of Music, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago’s Emergency Needs Fund, Common Threads and Urban Initiatives. 11

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SKENDER PARTNERS WITH SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE FOR ANNUAL VOLUNTEER DAY Nearly 100 Skender employees, friends and family volunteered on Saturday, June 20 at Skender’s annual volunteer day to build the bedframes for 50 bunk beds. Through a partnership with Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), the day benefited 100 children across the Chicago metropolitan area in need of beds. “We were honored to partner with Sleep in Heavenly Peace and utilize our volunteers’ talents in the building trades for an amazing cause,” explains Belinda Moore, Executive Director of Skender Foundation. “The work of our mix of friends, family, Builders’ Board members and professionals will help push forward Sleep in Heavenly Peace’s mission of ensuring that no children have to sleep on the floor.” During the Build Day, volunteers came together under the guidance of Sleep in Heavenly Peace to build 50 bunk bed frames. Those beds were then packed, delivered and assembled at the homes of families on the waiting list with SHP, to providing accessible, stable and safe beds for 100 children in need. Founded in 2012, SHP is a nationwide nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that builds and delivers beds to children who don’t have beds to sleep in. As of 2019, the organization has 150 chapters around the United States and has built over 4,000 beds. “Skender has always impressed me from the very first day that I worked on one of your job sites and still to this day everyone at Skender impresses me both on the construction side of things and now the willingness to help others in need giving up your own time to do so!” said Jason Jansma, Chapter Co-President IL-Chicagoland. YOUTUBE: SKENDER VOLUNTEER DAY 2019 13

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LURIE CHILDREN’S INNOVATORS PROGRAM Lurie Children’s Innovators is a program that channels the passions and energies of the next generation of Chicago philanthropists in support of initiatives with the potential to change children’s lives. The Innovators program brings together individuals who want to make change happen, and offers the opportunity to strategically leverage gifts for a major impact on high-priority needs at Lurie Children’s. In the program’s inaugural year, Skender Foundation became its first and sole sponsor, committing to a multi-year grant totaling $210,000 through 2021. Throughout the launch and first full year of the innovators program, Lurie Children’s exceeded its member recruitment goal, and has been overwhelmed by positive response to the program. “We are grateful for Skender Foundation’s long- standing support of Lurie Children’s and their investment to sponsor the Innovators program through 2021,” said Maeve Curran of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation. “Since the launch of the Innovators program, Skender Foundation has generously underwritten all of the program’s expenses, enabling 100% of Innovators’ investments to be directed to the medical center project selected by the group each year.” 16

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ENDOWMENT FUND BENEFITING VOCEL In early 2018, Skender Foundation announced its endowment fund and inaugural grant totaling $150,000 to VOCEL dispersed over three years. The Skender Foundation Board of Directors chose VOCEL because the nonprofit organization is a thought leader in early childhood education, and during the board’s sector research for the endowment fund, early childhood was selected as our sector of funding. VOCEL came up in six of the seven sectors explored for the endowment. We concluded that if children receive the tools they need during the early years, they will be equipped with the tools and resources needed to be successful adults. “We believe that Skender Foundation has a responsibility to invest in making communities stronger, and our new endowment fund allows us to provide long-term, meaningful grants that will make a considerable impact to organizations like VOCEL. Our investment in VOCEL enhances the support of a nonprofit that has already impacted the lives of so many in Chicago,” said Cheryl Skender, Chair and President of the Skender Foundation. Founded to bring exemplary education opportunities to underserved communities in Chicago, VOCEL helps kids develop self-regulation, language, social skills and cognition. Its innovative take on early learning is rooted in language development, parent coaching and an open, intentional teaching style. VOCEL jumpstarts children’s brain development with cutting-edge parent coaching and innovative early learning rooted in language development and social-emotional support. With early learning programs for children from birth to five years old and their parents or caregivers, the organization is committed to developing communication, interpersonal and executive function skills so children can thrive in school and succeed in life. 19

THIS YEAR, BECAUSE OF YOUR GENEROSITY, WE 826CHI Comer Children’s Hospital Lupus Society of Illinois Ace Mentor Program CoreNet Global Chicago Chapter Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center Advocate Charitable Foundation Crisis Center for South Suburbia Lutheran Child & Family Services Advocates for Urban Agriculture DePaul University Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation After School All Stars Des Plaines Wetlands Conservancy Manufacturing Renaissance AIA Chicago DIFFA Marwen ALA Chicago Dominican University Mercy Home for Boys & Girls All Chicago DuPage Medical Group Michael J. Fox Foundation All Stars Project of Chicago Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation Misericordia Alzheimer’s Association Edward Foundation Muscular Dystrophy Association American Cancer Society, Inc. Esperanza Health Centers Northwestern Memorial Foundation American Heart Association Ex-Cons for Community and Social Change Open Heart Magic American Lung Association Forefront Over the Rainbow Association American Red Cross Friends of Prentice Partners for Progress, NFP Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Gary Comer Youth Center Patriot Education Fund Chicago Foundation Gateway for Cancer Research Perspectives Charter Schools Apna Ghar Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago Northwest Indiana Posse Foundation Bernie’s Book Bank Give Me a Chance Foundation Purple Asparagus Bear Necessities Greater Chicago Food Depository RAND Corporation Bounce Children’s Foundation GRIP Outreach for Youth Foundation Rebuilding Exchange Box It Foundation Habitat for Humanity Chicago RefugeeOne BUILD Hanul Family Alliance Rotary Club Cara Chicago HFS Chicago Scholars Rush Associates Board Catholic Charities of Chicago Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Rush University Medical Center CBRE Cares Howard Area Community Center Sarah’s Circle Center for Enriched Living I Support Community NFP Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Chicago Architecture Foundation Illinois Institute of Technology Skills for Chicagoland’s Future Chicago Coalition for the Homeless Illinois Green Alliance Sleep in Heavenly Peace Chicago Gateway Green Jane Addams Resource Corporation Snow City Arts Chicago Mobile Makers John Buck Company Foundation SOS Children’s Village Chicago Public Media Junior Achievement of Chicago South East Chicago Commission Chicago Run Kevin Renderman Courageous Heart Fund St. Jude House Chicago Scholars LeaderShop The Bridge Teen Center Chicago Survivors Language Empowers All People Tutoring Chicago Chicago Women in Architecture Legacy Foundation United Way of Metro Chicago Chicago Women in Trades Leukemia & Lymphoma Society VOCEL Chicago Zoological Society Little Kids Rock Well Resource Center Children at the Crossroads Foundation Little Wish Foundation Wood Family Foundation Chinese Mutual Aid Association Local Initiatives Support Corporation Young Chicago Authors City of Hope Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation City Year Chicago Loyola University Medical Foundation 20

IMPACTED THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS: THIS YEAR WE + HOSTED THE EIGHTH ANNUAL SUMMER ECLIPSE WHICH RAISED $411,000 FOR LOCAL CHARITIES AND HIGHLIGHTED LITTLE WISH FOUNDATION + HOSTED THE EIGHTH ANNUAL HARVESTING HOPE WHICH RAISED $43,000 FOR CHICAGO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS + PARTNERED WITH SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE FOR OUR ANNUAL VOLUNTEER DAY + CONTINUED OUR SUPPORT OF THE LURIE CHILDREN’S INNOVATORS PROGRAM + CONTINUED OUR SUPPORT OF VOCEL THROUGH OUR FIRST ENDOWMENT FUND + PARTNERED WITH HABITAT CHICAGO FOR WOMEN BUILD 2019, AN EVENT WHERE 400 POWERHOUSE WOMEN HELPED BUILD PERMANENT AND AFFORDABLE HOMES FOR DYNAMIC, WOMAN-LED FAMILIES 21

THANK YOU FOR MAKING AN IMPACT.

INSPIRE. IMPACT. EMPOWER.

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